(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-01-06 21:37

ULAN BATOR -- The death toll has risen to 14 in the fake liquor incident in Mongolia's capital of Ulan Bator, state television reported Sunday.

A total of 126 people have been hospitalized for poisoning by a locally produced liquor which contained methanol.

Eleven people were killed and 41 hospitalized during the New Year holiday in Ulan Bator. The central and city governments are doing all they can to save the lives of the victims, said the media reports.

Deputy Prime Minister Miyeegombo Enkhbold said the situation was far more serious than expected, and he urged the departments concerned to make resolute and well-organized rescue and prevention efforts.

The city government has closed the distillery that produced the toxic liquor and banned the sale of liquor throughout the capital city, said the local media.

Many Mongolians drink liquor to celebrate the New Year, one of the biggest festivals in the country.